Tottenham star James Maddison was stretchered off in tears during Sunday’s pre-season clash with Newcastle United. The midfielder went down in worrying fashion and immediately appeared to be in extreme discomfort, with Son Heung-min and other Spurs stars worried as they watched on.
Maddison’s reaction will be even more concerning for Tottenham boss Thomas Frank. He went into a fairly innocuous challenge with Anthony Elanga and did not slump to the turf instantly, but rather limped away with his hands on his head as if to suggest he knew the injury was serious.
Maddison stayed on his feet for more than 10 seconds, hobbling off the pitch and then back on it again, before going down in distress and clutching his knee.
A lengthy medical stoppage followed as Spurs players crowded around the 28-year-old, with Lucas Bergvall looking devastated and Son, who had only bid an emotional farewell to his Tottenham career minutes prior when he was subbed off, showing serious concern.
Three minutes after going down, Maddison was stretchered off with his hands covering his face. He, Frank and the rest of the squad will now patiently wait for further details on the injury, and how long the recovery timeline could be. But the manager confirmed in his post-match press conference that the issue is with the same knee Maddison injured in May.
Maddison made 45 appearances in all competitions last season but his campaign was ended by the knee ligament injury he suffered against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals.
The setback did not require surgery but the England international spent just under three months out before returning to action as a substitute in the pre-season win over Arsenal on Thursday. He was again subbed on against the Magpies but his cameo lasted just over five minutes.
Frank said after the game: “We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before. I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal. That’s what we got today. It looks like with Madders a bad injury and then on the other side unbelieveable scenes for Son from his team-mates and the respect from the Newcastle players.
“First we had the walkaround and then the team-mates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same. I just said a few things but not much because it’s about Sonny and then he said a few things. It was beautiful.”
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